With the PlayStation 5 just a few days away, Sony’s Hideaki Nishino talked about the console in a new interview. Rather than talking about the power of the system and technology behind it, though, Nishino instead mentioned the things that the PS5 will not have — including a web browser.
Within the interview, translated by Twitter user Nibellion, Nishino touched on the nonexistent PS5 web browser. Though web browsers had previously been included on both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, as well as portable PlayStation devices like the PSP and PS Vita, the PS5 will not be joining its console family in having a web search option. While the PlayStation 5 can do a lot of things, Sony does not “intend to include a web browser in PS5."
Sony’s logic behind the lack of a web browser is that the company has “doubts about whether a web browser is necessary for a game console,” with the company likely having statistics saying that the feature was rarely used on the PS4. The removal of an on-console web browser could lower the use of hacks and cheating within games as well, another possible reason. Still, this did not stop some gamers from saying this reminded them of Nintendo Switch’s lack of a web browser at launch, calling Sony out for the missing feature.
More information provided in the Nishino interview has to do with PlayStation 5's controversial lack of 1440p. According to the Sony member, this feature was left on the cutting room floor purely because supporting TVs was the highest priority for the company. Nishino then goes on to share that the feature may be added later on if enough players request it, a mention that will no doubt push fans to keep talking about the issue and having their voices heard.
The final big takeaway from the interview is regarding PSVR, as Nishino believes that “the PS5 will improve the experience.” He goes on to mention that he would “expect the PS5 to have a VR experience that is appropriate for the PS5” saying that he “can’t comment any further” despite being excited about the future. These comments line up with ones made by PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan, with the future of PSVR being promising but far off.
While it seems like PSVR will see some PS5 support eventually, and there is hope left for demanders of 1440p, those eager to use a web browser on consoles seem out of luck. With the language used by Hideaki Nishino making it seem like no browser will ever come, people who have been using PlayStation systems to browse the internet will likely be disappointed when they do not see the feature on their PS5 consoles.
The PlayStation 5 will be available on November 12.